u/Barnziebus

Down we go!

Hey there Zwifters. I have another race review for you from the DIRT Racing Series S12. Were onto stage 3 this week, a stage earmarked by the sprinters.

Before we delve into this watt-fest here are my stats so we can all see what we’re dealing with:

• M, 180cm (5'11) – 78.3kg (173lbs) - ~270W FTP – vELO 1340 (Amethyst)
• Zwift setup; Tarmac SL-8 [Lvl 5] + ENVE SES 4.5 PRO.
• IRL setup: Wahoo KICKR Core [w/ Zwift cog, click & play controllers] + Road bike frame.
• Playlist: EDM - Hype mix

Route Map

Stage 3, like Stage 2, sees another custom finish. A flat route of 29.6km. The first sprint point (Acropolis Rev.) is FAL. The next two sprint points (Sasquatch Rev. and Forest Rev.) are FTS. And the finish line comes about 50m before the Forest sprint. Loads of points available, lets see how we get on.

The discussion between the team before the race was to attack each sprint point as best we could. As it’s a points race there isn’t much too it tactically, score as best you can. I had already resigned myself to not attempting any intermediate sprints through fear of cooking myself too early and getting dropped before the finish line. My logic being I can gain more points by simply holding on over others who get dropped. Teammate Martyn offered the advice to attack each sprint point to not be caught in any splits, a lesson that didn’t set in until halfway through – more on that later [foreshadowing?].

We fire out of the start pens in typical Zwift fashion and the pace is already blistering. I decided to sit myself towards the front of the group as the gravel downhill start meant if you fall off the back, even for a second, your race is done. The surging start was brutal and I was already blowing hard, this was probably self-inflicted as I was very twitchy to stay near the front. Not having the strength to chase back onto the group made positioning crucial for me.

Momentum across the bridge.

We hit the top of the bridge and I had slipped slightly but used the draft to power down one side of the bridge. I made sure to get on the power earlier than I typically would, trying to build as much speed as possible. My momentum managed to carry me up the other side of the bridge and through the pack.

The pack raced down the hill as the pace levelled off. The bridge section saw me average 370W for 60s that really got the legs burning before the race had even gotten going. The first 10-min had me averaging 240W which wasn’t too bad but the fact I still had 30-min of racing left was worrying to say the least.

Towards the front.

I got myself towards the front of the bunch looking to sag a kicker. I kinda identified this kicker to be a flash point for the race. As the first sprint points were first across the line, I knew the pace would be high and if attacks went on this kicker the whole pack would surge.

Luckily the pack didn’t go crazy, and I managed to fall back into the middle of the peloton. A pair of riders went off the front going long for the points. I would have loved to have been able to chase, trying to reel them back in for the team but I was nowhere near strong enough for that, not even close, I was just happy to be in the pack still.

The pace ramped up and this was a tough 4-mins for me at 300W. As we got closer and closer to the sprint point the steady upping in speed was so draining.

Sprint?

I hit the sprint point in the middle of the pack and kept my watts high to follow but didn’t attack the segment. This is where I should’ve remembered the advice to attack the segment to avoid splits. As I didn’t commit to a sprint I got passed by the whole field in a surge and was soon at the back of peloton’s tail.

I ramped up hard to push myself back into the pack and luckily the pace dropped off quickly after the sprint point. My legs were dying already, and this wasn’t going to be getting any easier. It looked like the two riders who jumped managed to hold onto the first and second points, but it was hard to tell from the rear.

Sprinting again?

The pace levelled off and I actually managed to gain a bit of recovery.

The next sprint point was a fastest through segment which leads to a slightly different dynamic where the sprinters tend to line up at the rear of the pack, to then sprint through the group with draft.

I was positioned in the middle of the pack and again, I didn’t commit to a proper sprint. This time it was more due to the fact that this section is net downhill, and I was hoping the draft would be strong enough to pull me along… it wasn’t. The sprinters came flying past pulling crazy numbers and I found myself dangling precariously at the back. At least this time I got on the power earlier to get into the pack.

Teammate Oscar managed to pip the FTS points by 0.1s!!

The race was now one long line and I made sure to keep on the power until I was back towards the front. This could’ve been costly as had the bad snapped I would’ve been on the wrong end of it.

Sprint!

Once again, the pace levelled off across the flat section but, just like my desire to do HIIT, it didn’t last long before we were back prepping for the next sprint segment.

This time I wasn’t taking any chances, lesson finally learned. I positioned myself right at the front and I was fully prepared to go hard here. When I saw this route, I knew this section would be crucial with the sprint point being at the bottom of the valley followed by some rollers, not a section I want to be chasing back on.

Still going backwards.

I kept my watts up this time. But, yet again I was still going backwards! I really am outmatched here. I made sure not to ease up through the banner and fortunately the pace dropped on the roller out of the valley and we were soon back together.

The pain!

We hit the turnaround in the desert and then headed back the way we came. The drag into and out of that turnaround was a zapper for my legs and I was dying a slow and painful death on the bike.

At this point I just try to position myself in the front third of the pack hoping I can pull something out of my arse to get across the line in a decent position.

Prime position.

I, somewhat surprisingly (okay, okay, very surprisingly), find myself in an excellent spot for the sprint. But what this picture doesn’t show is the fact that I am, once again, moving backwards.

I tried, I swear!

I get out the saddle to sprint and managed 2 and a half pedal rotations before my legs go to jelly. I would’ve guessed I was averaging >300W but watching it back it was closer to 200W.

I watch whole pack, except 3, pass me in a rapid downhill sprint. I just didn’t have anything to give. I typically pride myself on my sprint and punchy style by my god this was a humbling race! Theres no point having a sprint if you can’t use it in the final 300m.

Here are my final stats for this stage:

• Position 34/45
• Time 40:54 (+6.21s)
• Watts 253 (3.23W/kg)
• Power splits (W/kg): 20 min 261 (3.33) - 5 min 311 (3.97) - 15s 501 (6.40)

I was really hoping to do a bit better in this stage, but I just didn’t have anything to compete with. I am kinda gutted I didn’t have a go at one of the FTS, but the points-vs-effort ratio just wasn’t worth it for me. I still can’t comprehend the strength of these other riders, smashing out >10 w/kg after punching through this stage.

Intervals graph

TLDR

I no longer identify as a sprinter.

Away we go!

Hey fellow Zwift enthusiasts. I have another race review for you from the DIRT Racing Series S12. This time stage 2 on ZG25 Queen with a custom finish.

Before we delve into my subpar racing and all-round inadequacies here are my stats so we can all see what we’re dealing with:

• M, 180cm (5'11) – 78.3kg (173lbs) - ~270W FTP – vELO 1309 (Amethyst)
• Zwift setup; Tarmac SL-8 [Lvl 5] + ENVE SES 4.5 PRO.
• IRL setup: Wahoo KICKR Core [w/ Zwift cog, click & play controllers] + Road bike frame.
• Playlist: None

Route Map

So, a little note on Stage 2. The route is the “ZG25 Queen” route, however it has a custom finish at 27.1km. This is just after the start of the Itza KOM. This stage is also a Team Timed Race (TTR) - not to be confused with a TTT – where the time is taken from the 4^(th) rider of each team. Basically it’s a normal race, with draft and group start, but you are reliant on your 4^(th) placed rider having the highest finish.

At first, it took me some time to get my head around the format. The group chat for LEQP and the Ruby and Emerald team was full of interesting discussion on how best to approach this race. We, in Emerald, had 6 entrants for this stage. It was decided that we would all try to hang onto the front group hoping to get to the bottom of the Mayan KOM together. Personally, knowing I’m the weakest rider in our team made my job simple, try and hold on!

Anyways, onto the race in hand. The six of us were primed and ready. We all rolled out of the pens in a fairly standard Zwift fashion. The pace wasn’t mad and I assume this was because the first punch was incoming, the Jarvis KOM.

Winding up

I positioned myself right at the back of the bunch trying to preserve as much energy as possible. As you can see, I managed to hold my watts into high Z2/low tempo. My thinking was by being at the back I could try and surge through the group draft. This is one thing I feel I’ve really improved on as when I first started racing, I was always ‘twitchy’ to be on or near the front.

The effort is a short one that suits my style of riding but a lot of that is nullified by the fact I’m against a strong field so using as much draft as possible was key.

Up the second Kick

Jarvis KOM comes in a quick double-punch effort. The first being a bit of a drag then rise and the second being a steep kick. I used the draft well on the initial section, but I didn’t move through the pack as much as what I would have liked. So maybe a slight mistake, but I am still firmly in the bunch.

I see a few other LEQP jerseys so at least I’m not off the back just yet! I get out the saddle on the second kick and make sure to keep on the power over the top – Zwift 101 right there. A few people use their feathers, probably not realising that we only get 1 power-up this race.

The group forms up quickly over the top and with the sound of banjos playing were off down the descent.

Slowing down.

We rolled around and approached the “Dirty Sorpresa” (if that’s how it’s spelt) and the pace dropped right off. A few riders even traded jokes in the chat, which, in my limited experience, is not a good sign.

Pre-race I was really worried about the Sorpresa. This dirt kick can be one hell of a leg zapper and with it coming right before the start of the Epic KOM I was worrying that I would be fighting to get back on before the real fireworks went off.

As it was the pace was manageable through the dirt stretch, around 280W (3.57w/kg). The speed of the pack was so high, and I was so focused on keeping my heartrate down, my legs from burning and taking on some water that I didn’t realise the Epic KOM was upon us.

This is going to suck!

I think you know how this climb is going to go. The start of the Epic KOM is one of the worst sections to race. The initial section is so steep it zaps all the speed from the group, and with it, all the draft. It then levels out before there’s a secondary punch and then the dreaded long drag. The long drag that’s made even worse by the fact this route turns right and continues to the top of the Jungle section.

I decided to position myself towards the back of the pack again. And again, this is perhaps a minor mistake, I did benefit from the full draft of the pack but being a bit further up would’ve reduced the pure distance I had to make up to the leaders.

Max pain

There is nothing for it here, I must commit to a max effort. I keep it in the back of my mind that the long drag is coming up but if I get dropped here there is no chance I'll get back on.

Digging in.

I did pretty well initially. As the group compressed, I flew up and into the back, never losing any draft which I was really happy with. My heartrate was now climbing quicker than my bike and seeing some of the numbers the other riders were putting out was very worrying. This just reinforced my effort, and I made sure to keep on the power as best I could.

We reached the little section where it levels out ever-so-slightly and I take the opportunity to put in a quick dig just to keep my momentum high as the others began to slow. I was hoping that this would push me up through the group a bit more and I could then sag-climb™ the rest of the way.

I drifted past teammate Paul on the right of me and feel happy in my positioning as me and Pual were earmarked for protection before the race. I then notice my other teammate Marlot slowing to offer her wheel.

Sagging.

Right, we all know that feeling, yes that feeling. We’re on the redline and the pack slowly but surely begins to pull away. I’m holding numbers that are completely unsustainable for me. Luckily, I’m still in the draft and Marlot was there to pull. Paul had come flying past like the front of the peloton owes him money, so all there was for me to do is grin-and-bare-it.

Brutal.

We hit the drag and I go into pure survival. At the time I had such brain fog that I was unaware of the race around me. I was just trying to tap out a pace that would get me to the descent into the jungle.

Watching it back, after the fact, I can see that Christophe had dropped along with Marlot to help us out. I also caught a glimpse of Martyn flying up the drag hopefully feeling much stronger than I was.

The race was now one big line and I could see that a group was beginning to split off the front. I was really trying to hold the tail of the elastic and praise the (insert whomever you praise here) for LEQP and Marlot, without her and the team pulling I would never have held the back of the second (main) pack.

In the bunch at the Mayan KOM

The descent passed without incident. The front group got about 15s ahead, but that gap quickly shrank and before we knew it we were all back as one. The bridge was also horrible as my legs were completely (profanity filter)!

We hit the flats and I knew I was done. I wish I had more to give for the team but luckily all six of us arrived together giving us a great chance for a high placed team finish. I told the team I was cooked and to not wait for me. They said to try and push for the best finish as an insurance, so that’s what I did.

Holding on

The lower slopes of the KOM weren’t too bad as there was plenty of draft. But as soon as we hit the punchy section my legs were gone. My head was gone as well knowing that the position was taken from our 4^(th) rider and I was currently 6^(th).

Dropped.

I was pleased to have made it this far, but, like a cheap chain I was finally dropped. I saw that Paul was also dangling precariously off the back. As it is with Zwift it’s hard to know what’s going on ahead when you’re dropped but I’m told by the team that Martyn had some technical problems where he was disappearing which sounded like it was making coordinating the final Kms difficult.

As it was, I pushed on solo so as not to get caught behind, hoping to protect my vELO and maybe gain a decent boost. +31 in the end! When the dust had settled LEQP had finished 3^(rd), a very solid team effort.

Here are my final stats for this stage:

• Position 40/52
• Time 42:40 (+1:13)
• Watts 249 (3.18W/kg)
• Power splits (W/kg): 20 min 265 (3.38) - 5 min 337 (4.30) - 15s 510 (6.51)

Another really tough race. I liked the format as it led to some unique discussion around racing and the best tactics. If you rode this one, how did you find the format? I will never not be amazed by how strong some riders are.

Congrats on surviving my ramblings and thanks for reading!

Intervals Graph

TLDR

Team = Good.

Rolling out!

Hello everyone. I am back, yet-again, for another race review. Like to fool I am, I have managed to get myself into some of the hardest racing yet. Instead of taking on the monthly Zwift series (which I may still do this month) I have joined the DIRT racing series with the LEQP team. I initially said yes to this as I missed out on the ZRL racing as I got bumped from C to B (woe is me).

Anyways, before all the nonsensical rambling begins here are my stats so we can all see what we’re dealing with:

• M, 180cm (5'11) – 78.3kg (173lbs) - 270W FTP (I think.) – vELO 1301
• Zwift setup; Tarmac SL-8 [Lvl 5] + ENVE SES 4.5 PRO.
• IRL setup: Wahoo KICKR Core [w/ Zwift cog, click & play controllers] + Road bike frame.
• Playlist: Hype Metal Mix – Spotify

Some quick background on the DIRT racing series. Season 12 comprises of 5 stages of varying routes. Stage 1 on Peaky Pave in France is a points race. The series uses vELO from zwiftracing.app for categories. When the message went out for who wanted to join the DIRT series I thought I’d throw my name into the ring to help make up the numbers. We divided into two teams: One team in Ruby, and I was placed into the Emerald league team which is… wait for it… 2 ranks above my amethyst level (three if you include the fact I’m 1pt inside Amethyst.) I was blissfully unaware of this before offering myself as tribute.

As I understand it there is an individual points classification across the series for Sprinters and Climbers. There is a general points classification which combine all points as well as a team overall points classification where only the top 4 riders points count towards the total per race. This then ties into a Grand Championship but I’m too simple to understand the complexities, I just wanna crank the pedals.

Route Map

Right then, onto Stage 1, and what we’re looking at:

• FAL sprint points at the first sprint segment around 3km in.
• FTS KOM points at the Aqueduct around 25km in.
• FTS KOM & FIN points at the Petite KOM at the finish line.

The FAL and FTS are Top 10 and the FIN points are 120pts for 1^(st) then decreasing dependent on position.

First sprint points of the series up for grabs.

I had a quick look on racing app prior to starting the route and my ELO had me ranked 50/52 registered riders. Like I said I was in for some tough racing so my racing strategy was to hold on as best I could over the first petite KOM. I rec’ed the route and knew that the first sprint comes up quick, so I was ready for the blistering start. Sprinting is probably one of my stronger assets but in this field I knew I was outmatched so decided not to compete, I still positioned towards the front so as to not get unnecessarily dropped.

Wicked fast.

I saw on the leaderboard that teammate Oscar managed to pip second, let’s go. I quickly turned my focus back to my positioning and could see the pack was one big line. I didn’t panic though as a lot of the sprinters would slow right up and I could ride the pack momentum back into the blob which is exactly what happened.

For brevity of this already lengthy post, the intestines was fairly tame and this is mainly because of the sprint effort as well as the first trip up the Petite KOM looming over us. I got myself into the wheels and rolled to the front wanting to be well positioned for, what I knew would be, a horrible effort.

Most of my fellow readers will know, but for those who don’t, the Petite KOM rev starts with a solid kick then levels off. It is, objectively the easier ascent of the Petite KOM.

Over the initial kick.

I got myself over the initial kick and was going steady. I could tell the momentum of the first pack was already pushing away. But I knew that’s not my fight. If I can just hold onto a bunch then I should be able to roll on the flat. At this point I have a teammate directly in front of me and two more further up the road. This being a points race there is no need for them to sacrifice their positions for me.

I do well (by my standards) for the first 1/3 of the climb as the packs begin to stretch and break, I slip a few places but nothing to panic about just yet. I do however notice I’m at the tail of a growing split.

Okay, this is starting to hurt.

The burn is real and I’m only about half way up the climb at this point. I was going steady, really trying not to panic but my best 5-min power is like 4.2 W/kg and some of the others are pushing into 5! I get out the saddle to push over the steeper sections but as the speed drops so does the draft benefit.

I manage to hold my teammate Martyn’s wheel for a bit, but he rightly pushes onto the group ahead and I cannot follow. I start slipping places and the gradient is only getting steeper.

The end is in sight.

I hate how close, yet how far, I was from the second group. I wanted to chase hard, but I had nothing left, well not without completely blowing up and losing even more places. Instead I crest the first climb in 35^(th) and in a horrible no-mans-land of riders.

One rider descends hard and I couldn’t react quick enough to latch onto their effort and drop another spot needlessly, which was frustrating. I decide to supertuck™ as much as I could on the descent and ‘let’ the two chasing riders catch on and hope we can form some sort of relay to stay away from any other riders behind.

Working together.

The two that catch up to me seem very happy to work together and we start pulling pretty consistent turns. I know, I’m as shocked as you are. This works really well and we start putting time between us and the chase group. All I was thinking of was trying to build as big of a gap as I could to preserve my position in the race.

Shenanigans!

A few riders didn’t appear to be happy with the work being put out in the trailing pack so decided to try and bridge across to my threesome. As it was, the one rider who managed to bridge across was also a teammate of one of the three in my group. I could tell he had eased off to let them back on. I think I made a bit of a mistake here, I eased off as well, thinking 4 is better than 3. What I wasn’t prepared for was their coordinated attack when he caught us. Luckily I managed to react in time but we ended up dropping the other rider.

From here on out I decided I wasn’t going to take any significant pulls. The two teammates could work and I would just sit on, trust broken, friendship over.

FTS at the Aqueduct.

I didn’t notice it at the time but LEQP had a couple riders in the top 10 on the FTS. I was weary of attacks from this duo I was latched onto as they may have wanted to try for the segment. As it was they went hard but not too hard and I just tried my best to stay attached, like a clingy ex. This did not last long as the stronger of the two rolled off the front and I had no inclination to chase. Instead I settled in for a steady effort to the bottom of the KOM.

Here we go.

I managed to hit the bottom of the KOM about 40s ahead of the chase pack and 40s down on the group in front. Now the effort up here was pure hell. My legs were shot but I couldn’t ease up as the group behind were well within catching distance, basically worst case scenario (well ish, I could've been dead last).

Glad that’s done.

I kept an eye on the chasers and just went for a max effort, basically whatever I had left. It was brutal but luckily I didn’t lose any more positions.

Here are my final stats for this stage:

• Position 36/54 (35^(th) DIRT points)
• Time 49:37 (+3:14)
• Watts 258 (3.30W/kg)
• Power splits (W/kg): 20 min 278 (3.55) - 5 min 311 (3.97) - 15s 515 (6.58)

This was an incredibly hard race for me and it was interesting to ride against others who are way stronger than I am. Hopefully this series will help me improve at the very least. I was also very happy with my 20-min output.

As always, thanks for reading and if you’ve made it this far it’s greatly appreciated.

Intervals.icu

TLDR

Uphill is hard, downhill is hard, flats are hard.